News

Changes to CJRS – Employer costs03/06/2020HMRC’s guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been updated a number of times as the workings of the scheme evolve. The most recent update, on 29 May 2020, followed an announcement by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
The Chancellor outlined further details on the extension of the scheme to 31 October 2020 and the Read more...

Eligible for extended self-employed scheme?03/06/2020The Chancellor has confirmed that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is to be extended for a final three-month period to 31 August 2020. The maximum grant for the final 3 months of the scheme will be based on 70% of eligible earnings (previous quarter 80%). This means that the SEISS will in total provide qualifying Read more...

Certain retail outlets given green-light to re-open03/06/2020The government has started the slow process of reopening selected businesses as we continue to face restrictions in almost all aspects of daily life. The reopening of retail outlets reflects the acceptance that life for the foreseeable future will operate under what is being referred to as the ‘new normal’ complete with social Read more...

New code of practice for High Street businesses and their landlords03/06/2020The government has announced that a new code of practice is to be published for High Street businesses and their landlords to help provide clarity and reassurance over rent payments. A new working group has been setup with leading businesses and trade associations to develop the new code of practice.
The government has said that the new Read more...

National Insurance numbers03/06/2020If you have lost or forgotten your National Insurance number you should try and locate the number on paperwork such as your tax return, payslip or P60. You can also login to your personal tax account to view, download, print, save or share a letter with your National Insurance number.
If you do not already have a National Insurance Read more...

CJRS closure to new entrants03/06/2020The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is open to all UK employers to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.
The CJRS will close to new entrants on 30 June 2020. From that date onwards, employers will only be able to Read more...

Intellectual Property Office service changes03/06/2020The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright. The IPO buildings are currently closed but the majority of services remain unaffected.
A number of service changes were put in place on 27 March 2020. The Read more...

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme03/06/2020The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme allows small and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. The online service to reclaim SSP launched on 26 May 2020.
The scheme covers up to 2 weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who has been off work because of Read more...

One step forward03/06/2020The recent news that the lockdown is being eased for certain businesses is good news. Unfortunately, there are many other businesses that are still closed and unable to trade.
And there is always a background risk that any relaxation of the lockdown will increase the number of COVID-19 infections.
The Government seem intent on easing Read more...

Bounce-back economy03/06/2020Recent statistics published by HM Treasury confirm that £22bn of Bounce-Back Loans have been taken up by 700,000 small businesses across the UK. That is an average loan of approximately £31,000 per business.
As these loans are limited to 25% of business turnover, the average turnover of each business is £124,000.
The Read more...